S4C Wales Ladies Championship of Europe
FINAL LEADERBOARD:
-12 K Stupples (Eng) -11 A Yang (Kor) -9 K Hull (Aus) -8 B Brewerton (Wal) -7 M Reid (Eng), A Nordqvist (Swe) Selected other: -4 L Davies (Eng)

Karen Stupples came from behind to win in Harlech

England's Karen Stupples held her nerve to win the Wales Ladies Championship at the Royal St David's GC, Harlech.

Stupples hit a two-under par 70 in the last round to top the leaderboard on 12 under, but was helped by overnight leader Amy Yang carding a 73 on Sunday.

Both players bogeyed the final hole, with Yang ending on 11 under and missing the chance to force a play-off.

Australia's Katherine Hull finished third on nine under, with Wales' Becky Brewerton a shot further back.

Yang had led from the second round, but after hitting a birdie on the first hole in Sunday's final round she fell away.

Bogey's on the second, third and sixth gave Stupples the advantage and although Yang picked up a shot on the 15th, the South Korean ran into problems on the 18th.

Stupples, who now adds Harlech to her 2004 Welch's/Fry's Championship and Weetabix Women's British Open professional wins, was no more convincing on the home straight.

Fortunately I managed to hold on with all the nails I had Karen Stupples

But the Englishwoman had gone out in 33, giving her just enough of a cushion to secure victory and the £52,500 first prize.

"I tried to let it go on the last few holes there but fortunately I managed to hold on with all the nails I had," said Stupples.

"I think the front nine set me off to a fine start. I went off to a really good one and from that point on I sat back I think instead of keeping attacking. It was interesting."

Having missed out on a wildcard pick for this month's Solheim Cup, Stupples said she felt a huge weight was lifted from her shoulders.

"I was very, very disappointed at not being in the Solheim Cup. It was always a big goal of mine to be on there and I think, to be perfectly honest, I tried too hard to get in.

"I've come here free of the burden of trying to be selected or trying to prove how good I am or what form I'm in and I think the real Karen Stupples showed up this week."

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